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Carlisle 0 Preston 0

Carlisle United climbed into the play-off places despite failing to break down Preston in a feisty derby clash at Brunton Park.

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Lee Miller hit the post with a header and visiting keeper Thorsten Stuckmann superbly denied James Berrett from the follow-up in the 68th minute.

That was as close as United got despite plenty of persistence against Graham Westley's defence.

The point was enough to take Carlisle sixth, with Notts County thrashed at home by Sheffield United and Stevenage held by Colchester.

In a game notable for the strong-arm tactics of Westley's visitors, who had four players booked, Blues midfielder Berrett almost gave Carlisle the dream start with a 25-yard drive, but was denied in the second minute by Stuckmann.

Preston could then have gone ahead in the 14th minute, when Graham Cummins was put clean through - but Adam Collin saved the day for Carlisle.

The struggling, yellow-carded Danny Devine was substituted by Westley on 26 minutes, as Max Ehmer came on.

Miller and Berrett had half-chances blocked, before Iain Hume headed a free-kick wide for the Lilywhites.

In the second half, Berrett had another effort blocked after a flowing move, before Miller hit the woodwork after Frank Simek's fine run and cross.

Berrett looked perfectly set to bury the follow-up, but Stuckmann's reflexes denied the Blues.

Carlisle dominated most of the second-half, with sub Chris Holroyd testing Adam Collin with a rare attempt for the visitors, and Simek denying Cummins from the rebound.

Liam Noble had Carlisle's best late chance to win it when Miller's flick put him through, but Stuckmann again stood strong for North End.

And Miller put one final attempt from 25 yards just over the bar.

It was United's 15th straigh unbeaten game at Brunton Park, and the Blues go to John Ward's Colchester on Saturday.

Have your say

half decent game gud to see 6900+ but a goal less draw wont bring the stay away fans back miller needs a strike partner zoko is lazy..

Posted by nicky p on
21 March 2012 at 11:45

Carlisle played well without scoring. With 2 away games at Colchester and MK Dons, followed by a visit from Huddesrfield, the next 3 games will be extremely vitalWe needed the 3 points last night before going into these 3 games to give us a bit of a cushion. We have got to get better than draws now in order to stay in the race. Difficult days ahead. We can do it, if we can score.